Civil Rights for employees and customers of NRCS

In New Jersey, the Natural Resources Conservation Service staff work closely with USDA Service Center partners, Farm Service Agency and Rural Development, to provide equitable service to all customers and potential customers, and to provide equal opportunities for all employees and potential employees.

Carrie Mosley, State Conservationist, is the Deputy Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Officer. She can be reached at (732) 537-6040.

Carol Parker, State Administrative Officer, is the Civil Rights/EEO Liaison Officer NRCS. She can be reached at (732) 537-6081.

Civil Rights Advisory Committee

Committee members-at-large and the Special Emphasis Program Managers help ensure that Federal agencies institute, plan, and take affirmative steps to provide equal opportunity to women and minority applicants and employees in all areas of employment (recruitment, hiring, training, promotions, and awards); and provide a means for women and minorities to communicate their concerns to management.

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Applicants for USDA Service

Agency employees are trained to follow program rules and regulations, and they work hard to do just that. When an employee makes a decision on your request for USDA services or application, you will receive a letter that will inform you of this decision and your choices if you disagree. If you believe that the decision was based on discrimination or retaliation for filing a discrimination complaint. In this case, you may request a Program Discrimination Complaint form and information sheet (available at USDA Service Centers) or write a letter of complaint to the USDA Office of Civil Rights (see below).

NRCS programs and services are accessible to all customers, but we place special emphasis on those who may be underserved. Historically, underserved audiences have included minorities, tribes, women, the disabled, new farmers, limited resource farmers and small-scale farmers. Underserved audiences can also include other groups of customers, such as new immigrant or refugee farmers or organic producers. We work to ensure that underserved individuals and groups throughout New Jersey and the United States are made aware of, understand and have a working knowledge of USDA programs and services.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination against its customers. If you believe you experienced discrimination when obtaining services from USDA, participating in a USDA program, or participating in a program that receives financial assistance from USDA, you may file a complaint with USDA. Information about how to file a discrimination complaint is available from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

USDA prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex (including gender identity and expression), marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)

To file a complaint of discrimination, complete, sign and mail a program discrimination complaint form, available at any USDA office location or online at www.ascr.usda.gov, or write to:

Or call toll free at (866) 632-9992 (voice) to obtain additional information, the appropriate office or to request documents. Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay service at (800) 877-8339 or (800) 845-6136 (in Spanish). USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

Environmental Justice

Executive Order 12898 on Environmental Justice, issued in February of 1994, provides direction to all federal agencies to incorporate Environmental Justice concerns into our existing programs. Environmental Justice is a mandate to change or make the difference in the lives of those who could be or have been adversely impacted by environmental effects resulting from government actions. All populations, including minority and low-income, are provided the opportunity to comment before decisions are made on government programs and activities affecting human health or the environment. These groups are provided the opportunity to share in the benefits of, and be or not be excluded from, and not affected in a disproportionately high and adverse manner, by these programs and activities. NRCS is committed to incorporating Environmental Justice considerations into all programs and activities.